OU Israel is the Israel branch of the Orthodox Union (OU), a non-profit organization founded in 1898 devoted to inspiring, engaging and strengthening the greater Jewish community. Worldwide, the OU serves as a resource for Jewish communities and leaders, while helping to create the leaders of tomorrow. For 40 years, OU Israel has been making a difference in Israel, touching the lives of children and adults, immigrants and native Israelis, visitors and residents, soldiers and civilians, from every segment of Israeli society. Our goal is to develop a proactive commitment to Jewish heritage and to foster Jewish pride and unity. OU Israel's innovative programming instills pride and passion for our nation and its heritage.
The Jack E. Gindi Oraita Program
The Jack E. Gindi Oraita Program serves as a supportive environment for at-risk teens primarily in low socioeconomic communities. At-risk young adults are often forced to deal with a variety of personal, familial, and social problems. The majority of at-risk adolescents lack a significant role model and require assistance in a myriad of fields. The Oraita program reaches youth who are exposed to street culture and provides them with a safe place and stepping stone towards independent living. We strive to help them construct a positive self-identity, and help them create and improve various life skills.
The Oraita Club offers a balance of fun and values, games and growth. Whether in a discussion group or around the billiards table, teens form close relationships with counselors who are mentors and role models, and friendships that will last a lifetime.
Makom Balev Youth Movement
OU Israel Makom Balev Youth Centers offer leisure-time activities and leadership programs for kids aged 10-18 from the National Religious school system in Israel’s peripheral and low socio-economic areas. Since Makom Balev opened its doors, tens of thousands of teens and pre-teens have participated activities throughout the country, enjoying programming that deepens their connection to Jewish values and the Land of Israel.
Makom Balev offers values-based programming and constructive, empowering experiences that connect teens to the community. A major element of Makom Balev’s message is the importance of community service: The counselors organize and oversee volunteer projects in which Makom Balev teens assist the elderly, help needy families, volunteer in hospitals and senior citizen homes, and distribute holiday gift packages to members of Israel’s security forces to express support and appreciation for their service. Makom Balev’s impact has been gratifying and significant. Many Makom Balev members have gone on to leadership roles at the vanguard of Israeli Society.
The Pearl & Harold Jacobs Zula Outreach Center
The Pearl and Harold Jacobs Zula Outreach Center is a safe haven for at-risk teens, primarily from Religious Zionist backgrounds. Typically, these teens and young adults have become estranged from their families, teachers, and normative frameworks, and are often experiencing a crisis in faith. Many are involved in substance abuse or other antisocial behaviors.
Located in the heart of Yerushalayim, the Zula’s team of counselors and educational professionals guides troubled teens, and helps them return to normative social, religious, and scholastic frameworks. The Zula is a place of warmth and acceptance, where teens are welcome to drop in and “hang out,” as an alternative to the night life out on the streets of the city. The Zula’s come-as-you-are policy creates a non-judgmental atmosphere of mutual trust and acceptance that allows troubled kids to hear and be heard, to learn, to connect with positive role models, and to find their way back to their families, schools and communities.
The Seymour J. Abrams Jerusalem World Center
Each year, more than 110,000 people visit the Seymour J. Abrams Orthodox Union Jerusalem World Center (also known as the OU Israel Center).
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